Tanzania is currently in the midst of a contentious general election, with President Samia Suluhu Hassan seeking to solidify her hold on power. However, the run-up to the election has been marred by allegations of repression and the exclusion of opposition candidates, leading to widespread criticism and concerns about the fairness of the electoral process.
According to The Guardian, President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who assumed office following the death of her predecessor, John Magufuli, in 2021, has faced accusations of intensifying repression and cracking down on government critics in the lead-up to the election. Several opposition leaders have been abducted, killed, or arrested, while others have been disqualified from running, raising doubts about the credibility of the electoral process.
The Washington Post reports that human rights activists and opposition figures have decried the election as a “sham,” pointing to the suppression of dissent and the exclusion of key opposition candidates. The main challengers to President Samia Suluhu Hassan have either been jailed or barred from running, leading to concerns about the lack of a level playing field in the election.
Al Jazeera notes that polls have opened in Tanzania amid low turnout, with few voters seen at polling stations in the country’s biggest city. The absence of significant opposition candidates has raised questions about the legitimacy of the election and the extent of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s support among the electorate.
As reported by France 24, protests have erupted in Tanzania’s commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, as the country grapples with a contentious election marked by concerns from human rights groups and the detention of opposition members. The ruling Party of Revolution, one of the longest-ruling parties on the continent, seeks to maintain its grip on power despite mounting criticism.
The New York Times highlights the political significance of the election in Tanzania, where President Samia Suluhu Hassan faces her first electoral test amid allegations of repression and the exclusion of opposition candidates. The outcome of the election is likely to have far-reaching implications for the country’s political landscape and democratic future.
In conclusion, Tanzania’s general election has been marred by controversy and allegations of repression, with President Samia Suluhu Hassan poised to retain power amid criticism of the electoral process. The exclusion of key opposition candidates and concerns about the fairness of the election have cast a shadow over the democratic legitimacy of the vote.
References:
1. The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/29/tanzania-election-president-samia-suluhu-hassan-poised-to-retain-power
2. The Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/10/29/tanzania-election-president-samia-suluhu-hassan-opposition/
3. Al Jazeera: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10/29/polls-open-in-tanzanias-election-as-key-opponents-barred
4. France 24: https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20251029-tanzania-votes-but-with-opposition-excluded
5. The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/world/africa/tanzania-presidential-election.html
Political Bias Index: Neutral (Green)
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